Strip serving machine



Aug 13, 1946. T. H. KRUEGER STRIP SERVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5U, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 13, 1946.

KRUEGER STRIP SERVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1941 4 SheeiS-Shei 2 ATTORN EY Aug. 13, 1946;.

T. H. IKRUEGER STRIP SERVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5o,` 1941 4 sheets-smet s ATTORNEY Aug. n3, 1946. .1-.H.K'RUEGER 2,405,790

STRIP SERVING MACHINE BY v ATTORNEY Patented ug. 13, 1946 STRIP SERVING MACHINE Theodore H. Krueger, Stratford, Conn., assignor to Better Packages Incorporated, a corporation of New York Application August 30, 1941,` Serial No. 408,938 37 claims. (o1. :a1-14.5)

This invention relates to machines for deliver- I ing strip material in measured lengths and more particularly relates to power driven machines in which the instrumentalities for dispensing a strip may be set in actuation by the removal of a previously measured strip from the machine.

My invention may be applied to various kinds of strip delivering machinery and to the delivering of strips of any width, but is particularly applicable to the dispensing of gummed paper, fabric or fibre tape from a supply roll of tape held in the machine. Means may be provided in the machine for measuring a specific length of tape to be delivered, which length may be adjusted, and for cutting and for moistening the tape as it passes through the machine.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide machines to feed, measure, cut and moisten strips from a supply roll by manually actuating an operating lever, the operation of the lever providing the power for the feeding, measuring and cutting instrumentalities in the machine. While obviously useful for many purposes, such machines have basic limitations residing in the length of time required to operate the machine and obtain a strip, and the condition of the gum on the strip when moistened in such a machine and thereafter applied to a package.

It is also known to provide motor driven strip dispensing machines in which the feeding and cutting power is provided by a motor and the feeding may be adjusted for various strip lengths. It is common to provide such a machine with some sort of clutch or starting mechanism whereby the feeding instrumentalities may be engaged and disengaged by actuation of a manual operating lever, key, treadle, or the like. It is clear, however, that in no event, even with such motor driven feeding means, can the time of the operatcr between the manual activation of the ma- X' chine and the issuance of a strip of tape be saved; and it is equally clear that, particularly in the case of gummed tape moistened in the machine, in order to save time, the operator of necessity must take the strip immediately as it comes from the machine and apply it immediately to its point of use.

In the case of gummed strip which is moistened as well as measured, fed and cut in the machine, this is a very serious matter. The moisture immediately after being applied to a piece of gummed strip tends to lie on the surface of the gum for an appreciable length of time and is only slowly absorbed into it. Hence if a newly moistened strip is applied to an absorbenty surface such as paper, a large proportion of this surface moisture is absorbed by the material to which the tape is applied and thus the gum is never properly moistened and on drying, never adheres with the strength which it should. This may be obviated by moistening the tape, permitting it to stand idle while moistened for a short time while the tape is conditioned i. e., most of the moisture soaks into the gum which then becomes truly tacky, and only after such conditioning, applying the tape to its eld Vof action. As pointed out above, this conditioning period of a few seconds in Vevery single strip serving cycle of the machine would result in a serious slowdown if resorted to with manual or Vmotor driven machines of types heretofore known.

Nor would the seriousness of this slowdown be compensated for by the fact that such truly tacky conditioned tape requires far less rubbing on a surface to which it is applied to make it adhere strongly.

It is an object of this invention to provide a strip delivering machine which will deliver conditioned tacky strips of tape without loss of the time of the operator, which machine includes mechanism for delivering, moistening, severing and conditioning the tape by holding it in position to permit the gum to absorb the liquid and to be convenientlyy grasped when conditioned, said mechanism including instrumentalities for starting the tape feeding cycle which may be set into actuation by the removal of a previously served strip from the machine, so that the delivery and conditioning of the tape will take place while the operator is applying a previously delivered and conditioned strip and immediately upon his completion of application of that strip, another Strip already delivered and conditioned will be ready for immediate removal and application.

It is an object of the invention to provide such a machine in which the delivered strip shall be severed but removably held in position to be grasped by the operator.

It is an object of the invention to provide a strip delivering machine in which there isV no rloss of time by the operator While the strip is being delivered.

Itis an object of the invention to provide a machine having means to hold tape in delivered, moistened condition While moisture soaks into its adhesive, and further to provide such a machine in which the normal method of operation will necessarily include a reasonable time for the moisture to penetrate thoroughly into the gum on the tape, whereby the tape will be truly tacky when applied, and to make such time interval coincide with the time spent by the operator in applying a previously fed strip to a point of use so that no time is lost by the operator in waiting for the moistening to take eiect or in rubbing down tape, the gum of which has not been thoroughly moistened.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine in which the normal cycle of operation is such that while the operator is applying a previous strip to a point of application, the next strip is being moistened and delivered and held in readiness for application with its gum becoming increasingly tacky as it is held.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine having such characteristics that lit will result in a saving of operators time, and insure stronger adhesion between the tape and the surface to which it is applied, thus resulting in both instances in a saving of money while providing a much quicker and better way of performing the operation of delivering and applying tape t surfaces.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of a preferred form of the invention, the said description including also the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a right side elevation of a preferred machine with its frame removed, certain parts being shown in section;

Figure la is a fragmentary view similar to Figure l showing the position of certain parts when the tape is not issuing from the machine;

Figure 2 is a top plan view ofthe machine with -the tape roll spindle removed, certain parts being'shown in section;

Figure 3 is a left side elevation of the machine, a portion of the side wall being broken away; Figure 3a is a fragmentary view of a portion of the machine shown in Figure 3, with the pointer broken away, the parts being shown in the positions taken when the tape is cut;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the machine;

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the feed actuating mechanism, the cover having been removed therefrom.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the machine includes base frame l which may be of cast iron or of any other suitable material and is preferably provided with feet la. Mounted on the upper surface of the base are the side frames 2 and 3 which may be conveniently secured to the base by bolting or other convenient means. Also secured to the wall 3 by bolting or other convenient means is the tape spindle arm 4 which holds the tape spindle 5 in position transverse to the tape path and in position to receive a roll of tape 6a.

The invention can be best understood by initially following the course of the tape 6 through the machine from the roll to the issuing point and then describing specifically the various instrumentalities which affect the course of this travel through the machine or which modify it directly or indirectly. The tape 6 unwinds from the roll 6a, passes under guide roller l2 and pawl I4 which is pivotally mounted at I5 and has its idler periphery knurled so that itl allows the tape ,t

to be fedforward but resists any backward movement of the strip. The strip now passes under roller I6 and into edge guide Il which comprises two U shaped sheet members belled at one end to prevent binding of the tape and mounted face to face on right and left screw I8 equi-distant from the walls 2 and 3, respectively, and hence adapted to center all widths of strip fed through the machine with relation to the walls thereof and all centrally mounted parts.

While passing through the edge guide l1, the tape passes between the feed rollers 5| and 55 which in the illustrative machine shown are the only tape propelling means in the machine. The tape is fed forward over horizontal shear blade and under vertically acting shear blade 94 and then forwardly in a slightly upwardly inclined plane beneath the pressure plate |5| and over the top of water tank |48 and brushes |49. The pressure plate |5|, which is pivotally mounted at |25, has weight |52 remote from the pivot |25 so that an appreciable amount of pressure is exerted to press the tape against the ends of the three brushes |49 which draw moisture from the tank |48 by capillary attraction. A plurality of brushes is preferably provided as shown but a, single brush or a pair of brushes could be used, the greater number being preferred for complete moistening in view of the speed of tape travel in the machine. Each brush, inverted in the tank |51, is preferably provided with rigid backing member |56 which prevents the brushes from bending forward out of contact with the tape while the machine is being used.

As the tape issues from the moistening zone, beneath the plate |5l, it meets the linger |20, and due to its inherent stiffness pushes the fmger forward and upward as shown best in Figure 1. The issued tape hangs suspended from the machine and gravity usually pulls it downward in a curved positron, but in any case it is presented in a very accessible position for manual removal by the operator, it being held in its hanging position after severing by the frictional contact of the plate |5| and brushes |49.

As will be seen from the following description, the machine is of the cyclic type, that is, the delivery of a single strip of tape represents a single cycle of operations of the mechanism. For purposes of economy in operation, however, it is desirable that certain parts of the machine operate constantly both between and during said cycles, while other parts operate only during a cycle of delivery. Attention may therefore be directed successively to the continuously moving parts, the connecting parts and the cyclically moving parts, with particular reference to the actuating mechanisms for said last mentioned parts.

Considering, then, the continuously moving parts, a driving motor 30 is provided which may be of any convenient type, preferably electric. The motor may be mounted on a base 3| which is adapted to be slidably mounted upon the two shafts 32 secured in the U shaped frame 33 which itself is secured to the base I. The threaded shaft 33a having handle 33h at the front of the machine and which is threaded to the front leg of the U shaped frame 33 may be turned to adjust the forward or backward position of the motor 30.

The driven shaft 35 of the motor 3) carries pulley 34which vdrives belt'31' to turn pulley 38. Anyconveriient variableV speed means may be applied to vary, the speed of rotation of the pulley 3S, a Reeves variable pulley assembly being indicated.

The pulley 38 is frictionally mounted on shaft 43 being pressed against plate 30 keyed to the shaft by spring pressed collar 4i. Obviously the pulley 38 will slip on shaft 43 before serious damage can be done the machine in case of stoppage.

Power is transmitted to the tape feeding rollers from the shaft 43 as follows: Gear 43a on shaft 43 drives large gear 44, mounted on the same shaft as pinion 45 which drives large gear 46 which drives pinion 41 which has mounted on its shaft the gear 48 which, in turn, drives gear 49 on shaft 50. Shaft 50 also carries the upper feed roller 5|. Gear 52 is also mounted on shaft 50 and drives gear 53 which is mounted on the lower feed roller idler shaft 54.

The pinion 45 also drives gear |45 which may be utilized to drive the iiquid pump indicated at |44. Liquid may preferably be pumped to the brush tank |48 which is kept at constant level thus insuring Yeven and ample moistening of tape 6 by 1crushes |40, any overflow of liquid escaping through the pipe |55 which leads to the storage tank |40 containing heater |4|. Tank |45 is connected to the intake side of the pump, thus completing the liquid cycle. v

Returning now to the feed rollers 5| and 55, it is seen that these rollers are constantly driven by the motor while the machine is 'in use. As stated heretofore, however, the actual feeding of the tape is done in cycles, each cycle feeding a single strip of tape, and consequently the feed rollers can only be in positive contact with the tape during the actual feeding cycle, at which time the tape is being fed not only by one feed roller, but from both sides simultaneously as in the example shown both rollers are driven.

The mechanism for disengaging the feed rollers during the non-driving portion of the cycle will now be described. The heretofore mentioned gear y46 serves also as a clutch plate and to that end is provided with small holes 5| located equidistant from the shaft S2 for a purpose to be described. The gear or clutch plate 46 is mounted on the shaft 52, but can rotate freely without revolving the said shaft. Fixed on ther shaft 6:2 and rotating therewith is the yoke carrier 63 to which is rigidly secured the pivot pin 56 upon which is pivotally mounted the clutch yoke 61. The yoke 61 together with the pin 66 and the carrier 63 are at rest until a tape feed cycle is to begin. Also Xedly mounted on the Shaft 62 is the counter weight 64 which is also at rest, except during a tape feeding cycle. The yoke 6'! is normally pressed toward the rotating gear or clutch plate 4S by a spring 68a and is provided with a pin 88 which is mounted to engage with any of the holes 5| in the clutch plate and, unless prevented by other means, will be pressed by the spring 56a into one of such holes thus causing the revolution of the clutch mechanism and the shaft 52. The yoke 67, however, during the non tape delivery part of the cycle is held out of engagement with the clutch plate by the clutch wedge |90 and the counter weight 64, the former preventing the pin 68 from entering any of holes 6i and the latter holding the yoke 61 from slipping in a counter-clockwise direction along the wedge |00.

The wedge |00 is mounted on an arm pivoted at |0| and drawn into wedging position by spring |06, so that, in order to remove the clutch wedge |00 from its position bearing against the clutch yoke 61, it is necessary to extend the spring |06 and rotate the arm ||l0a about the pivot |0l. At the front of the machine is provided a feed lever |05 which is pivoted at |04 and has the descending arm |03 provided with screw head |02 which bears against the spring drawn arm |00a of the clutch wedge so that depression of the lever |05 causes the arm |03 Yto move against the pull of the spring |06 and to pull the clutch wedge out of engagement with the clutch yoke 6l, whereupon the spring 68a forces the pin 68 into the nearest hole 5| in the clutch plate 46 thus causing revolution of the shaft 62. This revolution continues until one revolution of the clutch plate has been made, whereupon the wedge |00 which has been returned to its initial position by the spring |06 again forces out the yoke 61 and withdraws the pin 58 from the hole 6| and the feed cycle is at an end.

'I'his type of clutch mechanism is shown as a sample of a clutch mechanism which has been found useful for this purpose, but it is recognized that there are many equivalent one revolution clutches which may be used in this connection and it is not intended to limit the invention to any particular construction of clutch.

Continuing the description of the cyclically moving portions of the machine, reference is made to the shaft |52 which revolves during the tape delivering cycle. It is noted that on the end of theY shaft 62 remote from the clutch mechanism is mounted the control disc 'l0 through which the delivering, measuring and cutting of the strip is controlled.

As has been pointed out, the feed rolls revolve' continuously when the machine is in use, hence provision is made for moving them in and out of feeding engagement. These means include the yoke 80, pivoted at 3| and having two tails 82 and 04. The end of the tail 82 mounts the lower feed roller 55 and normally holds the feed roller 55 against the strip and forces the latter against the feed roller 5| when the spring 83, secured to the opposite end of the tail 02, is permitted to act. A rocker 85, pivoted on the vshaft 85, bears against the lower part of the tail 04 of the yoke 80. The rocker is provided with a roller 55a which makes actual contact with the tail $4. The sides of the rocker above and below the roller 85a form stops limiting the angular motion of the rocker around its pivot 86, and the position assumed by the. rocker determines whether the two feed rollers are in strip gripping position. Accordingly, it is seen that when the rocker 85 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, the feed rolls are separated and when it is in the position shown in Figure 3a the feed rolls are together.

It will be understood that the rocker mechanism as well as the yoke are preferably centrally mounted in the machine as can be best seen in Fig. 5. The shaft 86 upon which the rocker is mounted also carries, on the same side of the machine as the control disc 'l0 the double lever 8l movement of which turns shaft 86 and rocker 85.

Pins ll and l5 are mounted on the control disc i0, the pin 'F8 :being considerably nearer to the center of the disc 'l0 than the pin 1|. The pin 'i6 is adapted to bear against the upper side of the lever 8l as the disc l0 rotates in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 3 and to turn the lever 8l and thus the rocker 85, since both are rigidly secured to the shaft 86. As the rocker moves from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in .Figure 3a, the tail 84 moves forwardly of the machine and the spring 83 forces the roller 55 into tape feeding position. The control disc 10 continues to rotate until thepin meets the lower surface' of the double lever 81, as shown in Figure 3a, forcing the said lever back into the position shown in Figure 3, whereupon the roller 85a engages against the tail 84 of the yoke 80 and thus moves the lower feed roller 55 downwardly and out of tape feeding engagement.

Turning now to the clutch mechanism previously described, it is seen that in order that the cycle will be one of tape feeding, the pin 16 must be mounted so that it will always contact the upper face of lever 81 before pin 1| contacts the lower face of lever 81 in each cycle, and consequently the clutch mechanism, particularly the weight 64 and the wedge |00 must be located in relation to the angle position of pins 16 and 1| to attain this end,

It is further noted that while the pin 16 is in a permanently fixed position on the disc 10 so that the starting of the tape feed is always the same instant after the beginning of the cycle, the pin 1| can be changed in position about the periphery of the control disc 10 so as to vary the length of the tape fed by varying the angular distance between the pins 1| and 10. To this end the pin 1| is mounted on the radial arm 60 which can be rotated about the shaft 62, but can be bolted solidly in place with reference to any point on disc 10 by means of nut 13 (see Fig. 2). Since it is desirable to provide for considerable accuracy in measuring of tape, I have found it useful to provide a micrometer arrangement for setting the arm 14, which consists of a pinion 12 which engages the teeth on the periphery of disc 10, the said pinion being mounted to turn upon the pin 1|. By revolving the pinion 12 by means of knurled thumb piece 12a through a slight angle an exact adjustment can be effected which only makes a very slight change in the length of tape to be delivered. When the settingr has been made it can be preserved by tightening the nut 13. The radial arm 14 also mounted on the pin 1| on the outside of disc 10 may be utilized as a pointer to a numbered scale arranged radially around a shaft 02 on the disc 10.

Suitable cutting mechanism for cutting olf the measured lengths of tape is provided. In the exampleof the invention shown, such cutting mechanism includes a horizontal blade 95 at one end thereof. A spring 98 mounted about the pivot 06 serves to hold the movable blade up or open so that tape may be fed thereundenand also ,A

serves the purpose of urging the cutting edges of the two shear blades towards each other in order to provide good shear action. The end of the blade 94 remote from the pivot 08 has pivotally attached thereto the link 02. Arm 9|, pivoted at is also pivotally secured to the lower end of the link 92. Arm 0| is provided with a tooth or shoulder 9|a which is so disposed that the passing of the pin 1| on the periphery of the control disc 10 acts thereon, depressing lever 9| and pulling down blade 04, thus severing the tape, see Fig. 3a. It is thus seen that the pin 1| not only ends the tape feeding cycle by actuation of the rocker 85, but also actuates the cutting mechanism to sever the now stationary tape.

As poined out heretofore, the machine may be operated by turning on the motor 30 and depressing the feed lever whereby the cycle of tape delivery will be initiated and a strip of tape delivered. 'Suchan operation of the machine, however, includes the disadvantages that the operator must wait for the operation o-f the machine to obtain a strip of tape ready for application to a point of use and the additional disadvantage that in order to save time, he will of necessity, have to apply the tape immediately upon its delivery by the machine whereby the tape will not have sufficient time to become conditioned. Consequently, it is desirable and it is one of the main features of this invention to provide means for occupying the time during which the operator is applying a previous strip, with the delivering, moistening, cutting and conditioning of the next strip of tape.

Referring now to Fig. l, it is seen that, as the tape B issues from between the pressure plate |5| and the brushes |49, it extends outwardly in the plane of the path of the tape between the brushes and the plate for a short distance until gravity pulls it down into approximately the curved position shown in Fig. 1. As it comes from the machine, the tape meets the light finger |20 which is mounted on the shaft |24 pushing the ringer in an upward direction and rotating the shaft` |24 (see Fig. 1) in a clockwise direction. Also mounted on the shaft |24 is a mercury or other automatic switch |2|. Actuation of the switch |2| is adapted to interrupt a circuit which also contains the solenoid |20, see Fig. 4, having armature |29 secured to link |30 which is connected to operating lever |01 mounted on shaft |04. It will be observed that the shaft |04 is the same shaft previously described which carries the hand operating lever |05 having descending arm |03 provided with screw head |02 which acts on the spring drawn arm |000, of the clutch wedge |00.

Taking now the condition of the machine just prior to the delivery of a piece of tape, the finger |20 hangs in its downward position, as shown in Fig. la. In this position the circuit which includes the solenoid, is closed and the clutch Wedge |00 is out of engagement with the clutch whereby a tape delivering cycle is about to start. As soon as it starts, the tape in emerging from between the brushes and the pressure plate meets the finger |20 and pushes it upward, rotating the shaft |24 and operating the mercury switch to break the circuit containing the solenoid, thus causing the reapplication of the clutch wedge |00. The yoke 61 of the clutch has already engaged the continuously revolving gear or clutch plate 4B and the delivery of a single strip of tape is in DIOgIeSS- 'Nilis delivery of a single strip of tape will obviously continue until the yoke 61 again meets the clutch wedge |00 whereupon it is pulled out of engagement with the clutch plate 46, the feed rollers are separated as heretofore described and feeding ceases, leaving a gummed, moistened and severed piece of tape hanging from the machine and held only in its hanging position by the friction of the plate |5| against the brushes |49. While in this position the tape is conditioned as the moistened gum can absorb the moisture applied by the brushes. The tape, when in this position, holds the nger |20 in the position shown in Fig. l and no further tape feeding will occur until the finger |20 is permitted to descend. When the operator removes the tape from the machine, the linger |20 will descend closing the circuit, actuating the solenoid |28 whereby the armature |29 is pulled down together with the feed lever |01 and another tape delivering cycle is started as has been described.

From this cycle of operation it can be seen that the feeding, measuring, moistening and severing as well as the conditioning operations on the tape are all performed during the time that the operator is applying the previously fed piece of tape to its point of use and that not only is no time of the operator wasted in waiting for the machine to feed, but also the tape is permitted to hang in moistened condition for the few vital necessary seconds which permits the moisture to absorb into the gum `and make the tape truly tacky. The tape delivery cycle will only be reinitiated by removal of the piece hanging from the machine whichr removal will not occur until the operator Vis ready to apply another strip of tape. Y

Obviously no particular type of electric circuit interrupter is required to permit the operation of the solenoid, a mercury switch as shown merely having been found convenient and well adapted to the purpose for which it is applied.

Ordinarily the operator takes one strip after another and applies them to the point of use, taking about the time to apply a strip which is required for the machine to feed, meisten, cut and condition the next strip. If, however, the worker is interrupted and a piece of tape is left hanging from the machine for a considerable time until the gum hardens, it is only necessary to remove and discard this strip, whereupon the usual cycle of operations may be continued.

It is sometimes desirable to provide for the delivery of a given number of strips during a given time and this may be accomplished by the use of the lever IBB pivot'ed at l H! (see Fig. 1) which on being pressed forwardly of the machine, brings the surface H39 of the lever Hi8 against the pin lill of the lever H35, pushing it downwardly in the same manner as if Athe lever E65 had been manually depressed except that it is held in that position until the lever |08 is released. By use of the lever H33. the tape cycle will repeat automatically not waiting for the removal of a previous strip, but reinitiating delivery as soon as a formed strip has been delivered. The speed with which this delivery takes place will, of course, depend upon the adjustment of the variable pulley drive, previously described.

Provision of the regular feed may be desirable for some specific types of work but it is obvious that for most uses to which the machine is put, such automatic feed would place an undue burden upon the operator as it necessitates his removal of each strip promptly before the next is fed: ordinarily it is far more desirable to initiate the tape feeding cycle by removal of the former piece of tape.

Referring now to Fig. 6, a right and left screw assembly is shown which has been found particularly desirable for aligning ofthe tape supply roll. The right and left tape guide members 7 and 8 are respectively mounted on right and left screws 9 and Ill which are journaled in frame walls 2 and 3. The screws 9 and Il) are geared to each other at 9a and Illa and may be operated by thumb screw Il so that turning of the thumb screw Il in one direction moves the guides l and 8 away from each other for an equal distance, while turning them in the other direction moves the guides together providing for the desired width of tape roll. As shown in Fig. 4 the guides 7 and 8 may extend from the point of adjustment to a point at or above the tape spindle 5.

Certain improvements in methods of nioiste'nl0 in'g, 'conditioning and using 'gummed tape are disclosed herein. These improvements in method are not claimed in this application as they form the subject matter of a divisional application led March 4, 1946, Serial No. 651,860, for Method of serving and utilizing gummed strips.

While I have illustrated and described in detail certain forms of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the use of such forms as I realize that changes within the scope of the invention are possible and I further intend each element or instrumentality recited in any of the following claims to be understood to refer to all equivalent elements or instrumentalities for accomplishing substantially the same result in substantally the same or equivalent manner, it being my purpose to cover my invention broadly in whatever form its-principle may be utilized.

I claim:

1. A gummecl strip delivering machine including feeding elements acting to feed a single strip of tape, severing means for severing the strip when fed, a inoistening couple through which the strip of tape is fed by the feeding elements, said moistening couple supporting the fed and severed strip preparatory to its manual removal, and feed initiating means for setting the feeding elements into actuation to feed a strip, said feed initiating means including a member engaging the previously fed strip while it is supported by said moistening couple and releasable to actuate said feed initiating means upon the manual removal of said previously fed strip.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the feed initiating means includes an electrical device forsetting the feed elements into actuation, a device operatiy ely connected with the strip engaging member for changing the condition of an electric circuit, and an electric circuit connecting said devices and adapted to have its condition changed by s-ai'dsecond mentioned device.

3. In a'machine of the character described, means to Adeliver a single strip including continuously revolving feed rollers, one of said rollers being normally out of tape feeding engagement, a single revolution clutch, a control plate revolvable with said clutch and means on said plate to move one of said rollers into tape feeding relation when a previously 'fed strip is` removed frorn the machine.

4. In a machine of the character described having separable feed rollers, means to `deliver a single strip of desired length by a single cycle-of operations of said machine, saidfmeans including a one revolution clutch, a control plate acting with said clutch, means permanently mounted on said plate to cause the feed rollers to engage, adjustably mounted means associated with said plate to disengage said rollers and means to initiate the feeding of a single strip by removal from the machine of a previously severed strip.

5. In a machine of the character described, separable feed rollers normally held in operating'r'elationship, a single revolution clutch, a control plate mounted to operate with said clutch, said control plate having a pair of stops associated therewith and a double face lever upon which said stops successively act during the revelution of said clutch and said control plate, the first movement of said lever bringing said feed rollers to tape feeding relation, the second movement of said lever bringing said feed rollers out of tape feeding relation, and means to initiate 11 the feeding of a single strip by removal from the machine of a previously severed strip.

6. A construction as claimed in claim 5, in which one of said stops is` adjustably mounted with relation to said plate whereby the length of time said feed rollers are in operating relation may be varied to produce variable lengths of tape.

7. A construction, as claimed in claim 5, Wherein one of said stops operates the cutting mechanism of the machine subsequent to the separation of the feed rolls.

8. In a machine of the character described, separable feed elements normally held in operating relationship, a single revolution clutch, a control plate mounted to operate with said clutch, said control plate having a pair of pin members associated therewith and a double face lever upon which said pin members successively act during the revolution of said clutch, one of said pin members acting on said lever to bring its opposite face into the path of the second pin member as it moves with said control plate and to bring said feed elements into tape feeding relation, the second of said pins acting on said lever to bring said iirst mentioned face in the path of movement of the first mentioned pin and to separate the feed rollers, and means to initiate the feeding of a single strip by removal from the machine of a previously severed strip.,

9 A -gummed strip delivering machine including intermittently acting feeding means, means to sever predetermined lengths of strip, means to moisten the strips,lmeans to support the moistened fed strips to condition the gum thereof and means operable by removal of a, moistened fed strip to initiate the feed of a further strip.

1i). A machine as claimed in claim 9 in which the means to sever the strip is located in advance of the moistener means so as to'sever the strip prior to moistening and conditioning thereof.

1l. In a machine. of the character described, strip delivering means including normally continuously Idriven feed elements, atleast one of said elements being movable into .and out of strip feeding relation, means to move said elements into strip feeding relation, said means being actuated by removal from the machine of a previously fed strip, and means to move said elements out of strip feeding relation after a predetermined length of strip has been fed.

ing means to moisten the strip, which means include portions adapted to frictionally engage a strip by its rear end to hold the strip in the machine subsequent to its delivery by the machine, the improvement which consists in providing strip delivering means including rotatable feed elements at least one of which is normally driven and at least one of which is movable into and out of strip feeding relation, and a control device including means for bringing said feed elements into strip delivering relation, said control device being held in the condition in which said feed elements are not brought into strip delivering relation by a previously delivered strip when said previously delivered strip is suspended by its rear end by said moistening means.

13. In a machine of the character described, means to feed a gummed strip, means to moisten the same as it is being fed, means to hold said strip in the machine until manually removed, a control device having'an active and an inactive position and adapted'when in the former position to cause the actuation of said feed means to feed the strip, said control device being held in inactive'position by contact with a dry portion of a fedand moistened strip prior to its removal from the machine and movable into active position when said fed strip is removed.

14. In a machine of the character described, feeding means to feed a gummed strip, moistening means to meisten the strip, said moistening means including a tank, brush means in said tank mounted to moisten the gummed side of said strip when said strip is passed thereover, a pressure plate on top of said brush means beneath which said strip passes, feed initiating means including a feed initiating lever mounted for pivotal movement above said plate and normally moving into the path of strip issuing from between said `brush means and said plate and, when in depressed position setting said feed initiating means in action to initiate the feed of a strip, said lever being'movable out of tape feed initiating position by a strip issuing from between said brush means and said plate.

15. A machine as claimed in claim le wherein said lever is moved out of feed initiating position Aby Contact Withthe dry side of said moistened gummed strip.

16. 'In a machine of the character described, strip delivering means including continuously driven feed rollers, at least one of said rollers being movable into and out of strip feeding relation, means for moving said rollers into strip feeding relation including a control member, power driving means to operate said control mem'- ber, aclutch between said control member and said-power driving means, and means to actuate said clutch to cause said driving means to actuate said control member so as to bring'said feed rollers into operation to feed a strip.

i7,A A'construction as claimed inv claim 16 in whichv said control member has means permanently mounted thereon to cause the said rollers to engage, and means adjustably Vmounted to cause the said rollers to disengage.v

18.17A construction as claimed inl claim 16 in which the control member comprises a rotatable platev having a pairl of stops associated therewith and a lever upon whichsaid' stops successivelir act when said clutch is actuatedv to deliver a strip, the rst movement of said lever lbringing said rollers to tape feeding relation, andthe secondl movement of said lever bringing said rollers out of tape feeding relation. Y

. 19. A construction Vas claimed in claim 16 in which the control member is provided with a'pair ofY stops, at least oneof which is adjustably mounted withV relation thereto whereby the length of time said feed rollers are in operating relation may be varied to deliver varied lengths of tape.

20. A construction as claimed in claim'l in which said clutch has means to automatically disengage said control member from said drive means subsequent to the delivery of a strip.

2l. A construction as claimed in claim 16 in which saidV clutch has means to automatically disengage said control member from said drive means subsequent to the delivery of a strip, and said control member has means for adjusting the length of the strip delivered.

22. A Yconstruction as claimed in claimv 16 in which said clutch has means to automatically disengage said control member from said drive means and a stop to render said disengaging means ineffective atY the Will of the operator.

23. In a machine of the character described,

strip delivering means including continuously driven feed elements, at least one of said elements being normally out of strip delivering relation, control means to move said feed elements into strip delivering relation, means to drive said control means, a clutch between said drive means and said control means, means to actuate said clutch to connect said drive means and said control means, to cause delivery of a strip, and a clutching device to actuate said clutch to disengage said control means from said drive means.

24. In a machine of the character described, drive means, feed rollers constantly driven by said drive means, said feed rollers being movable into and out of strip feeding relation, a control element to move said feed rollers into and out of strip feeding relation, drive connections including a clutch between said drive means and said control element to operate said control element, said clutch including engaging elements to effectuate connection between said drive means and said control element, automatically acting disengaging elements to break said connection, and means to actuate said engaging elements.

25. In a machine of the character described, strip delivering means and strip severing means, said delivering means including continuously driven feed rollers, at least one of which is movable into and out of strip feeding relation, means for moving said rollers into strip feeding relation including a control member, means to drive said control member, a clutch between said drive means and said control member, said control member having a pair of stops successively actin upon said feed rollers to move said rollers into and out of strip feeding relation, the stop which operates to bring said rollers out of strip feeding relation also operating to actuate the severing means subsequent to separation of the feed rollers, and means to actuate said clutch to cause said driving means to actuate said control member to bring said feed rollers into operation to feed a strip.

26. In combination in a motor operated dispenser for tape having adhesive on one side thereof, driving means for advancing tape from a roll thereof, mechanical means for automatically severing a predetermined length of tape thus advanced, means including an element engaging an adhesive surface of the tape for holding the severed length of tape in position for grasping and removal when desired, and control means set in operation by removal of the severed tape to automatically initiate 'operation of the tape-advancing means following removal of the tape and also including means to automatically terminate operation following the feeding of the entire neXt length of tape and the Severing and positioning for removal thereof, so that the removal of a severed length of tape is automatically followed by the advance and severing of a further length of tape made ready for removal, said control means including a tape contact element engaging the non-adhesive side of the tape.

27. In a 'tape dispenser, means for holding a supply roll of tape having adhesive on one side thereof, means for withdrawing the tape and mechanical means for automatically severing it into lengths, means' for holding the severed lengths in position for grasping and removal at a dispensing station, said holding means including an element engaging the adhesive side of the tape, power driving means for intermittent operation of the dispenser in dispensing cycles whereby successive pieces of severed tape are 14 brought to rest at the dispensing station in stepby-step fashion, including control means adapted to be actuated by the removal of a severed length of tape, so that upon such removal the dispenser is set in operation to dispense the next length of tape.

28. A strip delivering machine having means for holding a roll of strip coated on one side with adhesive, an intermittently acting feeding means for feeding strip from the roll and delivering the same in measured lengths, means for severing such measured lengths, means to support a fed and severed length of strip with its rear end in the machine and its forward part extending out of the machine ready for manual withdrawal, said holding means including an element engaging the adhesive side of the strip, a control device for setting said feeding means in operation to feed a further strip upon manual removal of the previously fed and severed strip from the machine,said control means including a trip element engaging the non-adhesive side of the fed and severed strip prior to manual removal thereof from the machine.

29. In a machine of the character described, means for feeding a gummed strip, means to moisten the strip as it is fed, means to hold the rear end of said strip in the machine until manually removed, a control device having an active and inactive position, and acting when in the former position to cause the actuation of said means to feed the strip, said control device being mounted in the path of the moistened strip,

as it issues from the machine, so as to contact the dry side thereof and be moved by such contact out of active position by said issuing strip, and to be held in inactive position by contact with the rear end of the strip remaining in the machine prior to manual removal of the strip.

30. In a machine of the character described, intermittently operable strip feeding means, a strip moistening device at the exit end of the machine through which the strip feeding means is adapted to advance the strip, means for stop'- ping the operation of the strip feeding means when the entire length of a section of strip to be delivered has been fed past the moistening means, excepting only the rear end of such piece of strip which is retained in the moistening means until the section of strip is manually removed, strip severing means located adjacent the moistening means and just in advance thereof in the direction of travel of the strip, whereby a section of strip will be cut off close to the moistening means and after the major portion of the severed section of the strip has passed through the moistening means and been moistened, and automatic control means for controlling the intermittent operation of the strip feeding means, said control means including a strip contact member adapted to'engage the dry side of a moistened and fed strip adjacent to its end which is retained in the moistening means until manual removal of said moistened strip therefrom.

31. A gummed strip delivering machine having a base and side walls, strip feeding mechanism mounted between said side walls, adjustable means for driving said strip feeding mechanism at different speeds, a tape moistener mounted between said side walls at a distance above said base, past which the strip is adapted to be fed by said strip feeding means, said moistener including a moisture applying element mounted in a moistener tank, a storage tank for moistening liquid mounted between the side walls ofthe machine and lower than the moistener tank, an overflow drain from the moistener tank to the storage tank, a liquid line between the storage tank and moistener tank, a liquid pump in said line arranged to pump liquid from the storage tank to the moistener tank, and driving connections from the adjustable strip feeder driving means for driving said pump whereby the speed of the pump is adjusted to correspond with the speed of the strip feeding mechanism.

32. The construction as claimed in claim 31 wherein the moistener comprises one or more brushes inverted in the moistener tank and mounted to contact the gummed side of the tape passing thereover.

33. A dispenser for delivering successive predetermined lengths of adhesive tape comprising, in combination, a driving motor adapted to run continuously during a period in which the tape is fed in a succession of tape dispensing cycles, tape feeding instrumentalities operable by said motor, a tripper actuated upon removal of a previously fed length of tape from the machine, and control means responsive to said tripper to initiate a tape dispensing cycle of instrumentalities and including means automatically operable to terminate each tape dispensing cycle when a predetermined length of tape has been fed with- Y out stopping the continuous operation of the motor either during or between dispensing cycles.

34. The construction as claimed in claim 33 provided with means to moisten strips as delivered, and means to support the moistened fed strips in position for ready removal.

35. A dispenser for delivering successive predetermined lengths of adhesive tape comprising, in combination, a driving motor adapted to run continuously during a period in which the tape is fed in a succession of tape dispensing cycles, tape feeding instrumentalities operable by said motor, a manually operable tripper, and control means responsive to said tripper to initiate Ytape feeding operation of said instrumentalities and including means automatically operable to terminate each tape feeding operation when a predetermined length of tape has been fed, without stopping the 16 continuous operation of the motor either during or between dispensing cycles.

36. In a tape dispenser, means for holding a supply roll of tape having adhesive on one side thereof, means for withdrawing the tape and mechanical means for automatically severing it into lengths, means for holding the severed lengths in position for grasping and removal at a dispensing station, said holding means including an element engaging the adhesive side of the tape, power driving means for intermittent operation of the dispenser in dispensing cycles whereby successive pieces of severed tape are brought to rest at the dispensing station in stepby-step fashion, including control means adapted to be actuated by the removal of a severed length of tape, so that upon such removal the dispenser is set in operation to dispense the next length of tape, said control means including a tape contacting element which contacts the non-adhesive side of the tape adjacent the point at which the severed length of tape is held for removal.

37. A gummed strip delivering machine having strip feeding mechanism, adjustable means for driving said strip feeding mechanism at different speeds, and a tape moistener for moistening tape delivered by said strip feeding mechanism, said moistener including an inverted capillary brush adapted to spread moisture on the strip while it is being fed, a moistener tank in which the lower end of the brush is held, and means for" maintaining a constant and adequate supply of moistening liquid in said moistener tank, said liquid supplying means including a storage tank mounted at a lower level than said moistener tank, an overflow drain from the moistener tank to the storage tank, a liquid line between the storage and moistener tank, a liquid pump in said line arranged to pump liquid from the storage tank to the moistener tank, and driving connections from the adjustable strip feeder, driving means for driving said pump, whereby the speed of the pump is adjusted to correspond with the speed of the strip feeding mechanism.

TI-IEODORE H. KRUEGER. 

